By MIKE DILLON
David Lloyd started his career in racing 36 years ago as a journalist and, on Saturday, ended it as chief executive of New Zealand's biggest racing club.
The occasion was also his first chance to make a presentation to the winning connections. As part of the Auckland Racing Club's farewell, chairman Lyn Stevens invited Matamata trainer Phillip Stevens to the directors' room after the last race at Ellerslie so that Lloyd could make the presentation.
Lloyd had an often-difficult time with the board in the 12 months to the annual meeting in October, but he leaves the club after nearly 10 years with nothing but personal pride.
His achievements include playing a part in the elimination of the $23 million the club owed when he arrived, a 33 per cent stakes increase in the past five years and catching up on the seriously deferred maintenance of Ellerslie.
"One thing I've always prided myself on is that you will always get a decision from me," he said.
"It might not be the decision you were looking for, but you always got one."
Lloyd said a good chief executive had to be flexible.
"Progress is impossible without change.
"Those who can't change their mind, can't change anything."
Lloyd has had "five or six" job offers, but has made no decision.
He and wife Dawn are both Aucklanders, but have family and investments in Christchurch and are immediately moving back to the city where he spent 14 years as chief executive of the Canterbury Jockey Club.
No decision has been made on his replacement at Ellerslie.
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Sedecrem guaranteed himself favouritism for the group-one Thorndon Mile on Saturday with his fabulous third in the Telegraph Handicap.
The Takanini star was back and wide under his 57.5kg topweight and fought strongly in a fast-run race to be only a short head and three quarters of a length from the winner, King's Chapel.
The jump from 1200m to 1600m looks perfect for him this week.
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Things went wrong from the start for the favourite in the Telegraph, class filly Pay My Bail.
She was keen in the barrier stalls, moving forward and back and was on the back of the gate when the field was released.
It put her behind Danroad and, when he went backwards from the 400m, he took Pay My Bail with him.
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Former Zimbabwean jockey Eddie De Klerk has been in New Zealand exactly a year and is going from strength to strength here.
His winning double at Ellerslie on Saturday was a classic example of the benefits of the South African/English style of push riding, relying on balance and thrust rather than excessive whip.
But getting permanent residency is going less well.
During his year in New Zealand, jockeys have been withdrawn from the Government's preferred-immigrant list, costing De Klerk 50 immigration points.
The service has reportedly been advised that there are too many jockeys in the country.
The service's comment to the Herald was: "Surely we have plenty of people who can ride in New Zealand - don't all those people who do eventing ride in races?"
Racing: David Lloyd rides into the sunset
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